Roosters hold off spirited Sharks comeback to claim NRLW ...
The Roosters have staved off a stunning second-half comeback from the Sharks to claim their second NRLW premiership with a 32-28 win.
It was all red, white and blue in the first half with the Roosters scoring five unanswered tries to go into the break 24-0.
But the Sharks came out of the break looking like a completely different side as they scored four-straight tries to narrow the gap to 26-24.
But it was an Olivia Kernick try in the final three minutes — her second of the game — which ultimately sealed premiership glory.
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It took 15 minutes for the first try of the game to be scored and fittingly it came through Dally M medal winner Kernick.
Three minutes later workhorse winger Jayme Fressard scored in the corner after some quick thinking from Tarryn Aiken — who received the Karyn Muurphy medal as Player of the Match.
They backed it up again through Brydie Parker, who scored two tries in five minutes and then superstar centre Jess Sergis put an exclamation mark on the first half with a try in the final seconds before the break.
Errors cruelled the Sharks, who were terrorised by the boot of Roosters five-eighth Jocelyn Kelleher and her towering bombs in the first half.
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The Sharks showed signs of life in the opening minutes of the second half when skipper Tiani Penitani charged over for a much-needed try to get her side on the board.
They backed it up with two tries in five minutes — scored by Quincy Dodd and Georgia Hannaway — to keep their premiership hopes alive.
Ellie Johnston showed tremendous skill to hang onto the ball between her legs as she barged over.
But the Sharks’ momentum was halted when Kernick crossed untouched for her second try of the day — and the try that ultimately won it.
Penitani kept the pressure on though when she crossed late in the corner. The skipper elected to skip the conversion in a bid to score again in the final minutes but it wasn’t enough and the Roosters held on.
“I’m still in shock just by the second half of the Sharks,” Titans half Lauren Brown said on Fox League.
“They could’ve for all money bowed out but (credit) to their strength and determination, they fought back hard.
“We weren’t sure who was going to win in the final two minutes.”
Aiken was named Player of the Match after the Roosters halfback finished with two try assists and three linebreak assists.
The victory means NRLW legend Sam Bremner, who came out of retirement this season for the Roosters, will sail off into the sunset with the one thing she was yet to achieve — a premiership.
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NRLW TEAMS
Sydney Roosters: 1. Sam Bremner 2. Jayme Fressard 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Brydie Parker 6. Jocelyn Kelleher 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Keeley Davis 10. Otesa Pule 11. Amber Hall 12. Olivia Kernick 13. Tiana Davison 14. Tavarna Papalii 15. Jasmine Strange 16. Samantha Economos 17. Pani Hopoate. 18th player: 18. Mia Wood
Cronulla Sharks: 1. Emma Tonegato 2. Cassie Staples 3. Tiana Penitani 4. Annessa Biddle 5. Georgia Ravics 6. Georgia Hannaway 7. Tayla Preston 8. Ellie Johnston 9. Quincy Dodd 17. Tegan Dymock 11. Talei Holmes 12. Rhiannon Byers 13. Brooke Anderson 10. Holli Wheeler 14. Filomina Hanisi 15. Manilita Takapautolo. 18th player: 19. Nakia Davis-Welsh
Referees: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski;Sideline Officials: Rochelle Tamarua, Karra-Lee Nolan;Video Referees: Kasey Badger
